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Did You Know?

In response to the COVID-19 public health emergency (PHE) and as new therapies received approval to treat COVID-19, CMS established the New COVID-19 Treatments Add-on Payment (NCTAP).

Why is Matters?

The NCTAP for eligible COVID-19 products will extend through the end of the fiscal year in which the PHE ends.

On Thursday, August 18, 2022, CMS released a Roadmap for the End of the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency (link).

Based on this information there are key notes and dates to keep in mind related to the ending of the PHE:

• HHS will provide a 60-day notice prior to the renewal date of the COVID-19 PHE if they are not going to extend it.
• The most recent PHE extension was on July 15th and lasts for 90 days (October 13, 2022).
• The 60-day notice has already passed (August 14th) for CMS to provide notice about the end of the PHE.
• The COVID-19 PHE will likely be extended in October for at least one more 90-day period.
• If the PHE is not extended past January 11, 2023, NCTAPs would end September 30, 2023.

What Can You Do?

Visit CMS’ COVID-19 NCTAP specific webpage (link) to identify the therapies that are eligible for the NCTAP.

Did You Know?

New Technology Add-on Payments (NTAPs) are not budget neutral and the “newness” for payment is limited to the 2-to-3-year period after the date a technology becomes available.

Why it Matters?

The trigger for the add-on payment is including the applicable ICD-10-PCS code on your claim. Twenty-five services or technology will be eligible for the add-on payment effective October 1, 2022. This article highlights the ten services new for Fiscal Year 2023.

Cerament® G

Applicant: BONESUPPORT AB

CERAMENT® G is an injectable bone-void filler made of calcium sulfate, hydroxyapatite, and gentamicin sulfate indicated for the surgical treatment of osteomyelitis. The new technology indication is for use as a bone void filler in skeletally mature patients as an adjunct to systemic antibiotic therapy and surgical debridement (standard treatment approach to a bone infection) as part of the surgical treatment of osteomyelitis in defects in the extremities.

• ICD-10-PCS Code: XW0V0P7 (Introduction of antibiotic-eluting bone void filler into bones, open approach, new technology group 7)

GORE® TAG® Thoracic Branch Endoprosthesis

Applicant: W.L. Gore and Associates, Inc.

This is a modular device consisting of three components, an Aortic Component, a Side Branch Component, and an optional Aortic Extender Component, each of which is pre-mounted on a catheter delivery system for treatment of thoracic aortic aneurysms, traumatic aortic transection, and aortic dissection. The new technology indication is for endovascular repair of lesions of the descending thoracic aorta, while maintaining flow into the left subclavian artery, in patients who are at high risk for debranching subclavian procedures and who have appropriate anatomy.

ICD-10-PCS Codes:

• 02VW3DZ (Restriction of thoracic aorta, descending with intraluminal device, percutaneous approach) in combination with,
• 02VX3EZ (Restriction of thoracic aorta, ascending/arch with branched or fenestrated intraluminal device, one or two arteries, percutaneous approach)

iFuse Bedrock Granite Implant System

Applicant: SI-BONE

The iFuse Bedrock Granite Implant System is a sterile, single-use permanent implant intended to provide sacropelvic fusion of the sacroiliac joint and fixation to the pelvis when used in conjunction with commercially available pedicle screw fixation systems as a foundational element for segmental spinal fusion.

ICD-10-PCS Codes:

• XNH6058 (Insertion of internal fixation device with tulip connector into right pelvic bone, open approach, new technology group 8), or
• XNH6358 (Insertion of internal fixation device with tulip connector into right pelvic bone, percutaneous approach, new technology group 8), or
• XNH7058 (Insertion of internal fixation device with tulip connector into left pelvic bone, open approach, new technology group 8), or
• XNH7358 (Insertion of internal fixation device with tulip connector into left pelvic bone, percutaneous approach, new technology group 8), or
• XRGE058 (Fusion of right sacroiliac joint using internal fixation device with tulip connector, open approach, new technology group 8), or
• XRGE358 (Fusion of right sacroiliac joint using internal fixation device with tulip connector, percutaneous approach, new technology group 8), or
• XRGF058 (Fusion of left sacroiliac joint using internal fixation device with tulip connector, open approach, new technology group 8), or
• XRGF358 (Fusion of left sacroiliac joint using internal fixation device with tulip connector, percutaneous approach, new technology group 8.

Thoraflex™ Hybrid Device

Applicant: Terumo Aortic

This Device is a sterile single-use, gelatin sealed Frozen Elephant Trunk (FET) surgical medical device. It is deployed through an opened aortic arch and then positioned into the descending thoracic aorta. Once it is completely deployed, the collar is sutured to the aorta, and graft anastomoses are then performed in a manner depending upon the chosen product design (which the applicant specified as either the Plexus or the Ante-Flo). The device has a unique gelatin sealant that acts as a seal, preventing blood loss through the polyester fabric product wall. The new technology indication is for the open surgical repair or replacement of damaged or diseased vessels of the aortic arch and descending aorta, with or without involvement of the ascending aortic, in cases of aneurysm and/or dissection.

ICD-10-PCS Codes:

• X2RX0N7 (Replacement of thoracic aorta arch with branched synthetic substitute with intraluminal device, new technology group 7), in combination with
• X2VW0N7 (Restriction of thoracic descending aorta with branched synthetic substitute with intraluminal device, new technology group 7)

ViviStim® Paired VNS System

Applicant: MicroTransponder, Inc.

This system is a paired vagus nerve stimulation therapy intended to stimulate the vagus nerve during rehabilitation therapy to reduce upper extremity motor deficits and improve motor function in chronic ischemic stroke patients with moderate to severe arm impairment. The system is comprised of an Implantable Pulse Generator (IPG), an implantable stimulation Lead, and an external paired stimulation controller which is composed of the external Wireless Transmitter (WT) and the external Stroke Application and Programming Software (SAPS).

• ICD-10-PCS Code: X0HQ3R8 (Insertion of neurostimulator lead with paired stimulation system into vagus nerve, percutaneous approach, new technology group 8)

DefenCath™

Applicant: CoMedix Inc.

DefenCath™ is a proprietary formulation of taurolidine, a thiadiazinane antimicrobial, and heparin, an anti-coagulant, that is under development for use as catheter lock solution, with the aim of reducing the risk of catheter-related bloodstream infections (CRBI) from in-dwelling catheters in patients undergoing hemodialysis (HD) through a central venous catheter (CVC).

ICD-10-PCS Code: XY0YX28 (Extracorporeal introduction of taurolidine anti-infective and heparin anticoagulant, new technology group 8)

Carvykti™

Applicant: Janssen Biotech

CARVYKTI™ is an autologous chimeric-antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy directed against B cell maturation antigen (BCMA) for the treatment of patients with multiple myeloma.

ICD-10-PCS Codes

• XW033A7 (Introduction of ciltacabtagene autoleucel into peripheral vein, percutaneous approach, new technology group 7), or
• XW043A7 (Introduction of ciltacabtagene autoleucel into central vein, percutaneous approach, new technology group 7)

DARZALEX FASPRO®

Applicant: Janssen Biotech

DARZALEX FASPRO® is a combination of daratumumab (a monoclonal CD38-directed cytolytic antibody), and hyaluronidase (an endoglycosidase) indicated for the treatment of light chain (AL) amyloidosis in combination with bortezomib, cyclophosphamide and dexamethasone (CyBorD) in newly diagnosed patients and is administrered through a subcutaneous injection.

ICD-10-PCS Codes

• XW01318 (Introduction of daratumumab and hyaluronidase-fihj into subcutaneous tissue, percutaneous approach, new technology group 8), in combination with
• ICD-10-CM diagnosis code E85.81 (Light chain (AL) amyloidosis.

Hemolung Respiratory Assist System (RAS)

Applicant: Alung Technologies, Inc.

Hemolung RAS is the first and only FDA authorized technology for the treatment of acute, hypercapnic respiratory failure by providing low-flow, veno-venous extracorporeal carbon dioxide removal (ECCO2R) using a 15.5 French dual lumen catheter inserted percutaneously in the femoral or jugular vein, providing partial ventilatory lung support independent of the lungs as an alternative or supplement to invasive mechanical ventilation.

ICD-10-PCS Code: 5A0920Z (Assistance with respiratory filtration, continuous)

Livtencity™

Applicant: Takeda Pharmaceuticals U.S.A.

LIVTENCITY™ (maribavir) is a cytomegalovirus (CMV) pUL97 kinase inhibitor indicated for the treatment of adults and pediatrics (12 years of age and older and weighing at least 35 kg) with post-transplant CMV infection/disease that is refractory to treatment (with or without genotypic resistance) to ganciclovir, valganciclovir, cidofovir, or foscarnet. Per the applicant, it is the only antiviral therapy indicated to treat post-transplant patients with CMV in solid organ transplant (SOT) and hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HCT).

What Can I Do?

Familiarize yourself will all twenty-five services or technologies by reviewing pages 48903 – 48900 of the Final Rule and share this information with key stakeholders in your facility (i.e., Physicians, Pharmacy, Coding Professionals, Clinical Documentation Integrity Specialists, Case Managers).

COVID-19 Updates

August 18, 2022: Roadmap for the End of the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency

CMS published a blog (link), announcing their efforts to create a roadmap for the end of the COVID-19 PHE. CMS reminds you that “HHS Secretary Becerra has committed to giving states and the health care community writ large 60 days’ notice before ending the PHE. In the meantime, CMS encourages health care providers to prepare for the end of these flexibilities as soon as possible and to begin moving forward to reestablishing previous health and safety standards and billing practices.”

Included in this CMS Blog is a list of fact sheets summarizing the status of Medicare Blanket waivers and flexibilities by provider type. The fact sheets include information about waivers and flexibilities that:

• Have already been terminated,
• Will be made permanent, or
• Will end at the end of the PHE.

CMS expects “that the health care system can begin taking prudent action to prepare to return to normal operations and to wind down those flexibilities that are no longer critical in nature.”

The COVID-19 PHE declaration was last extended on July 15, 2022 (link). PHE declarations last for the duration of the emergency or 90 days and may be extended by the Secretary meaning the current COVID-19 PHE declaration will last until October 13, 2022.

With the CMS release of a Road Map to wind down the COVID-19 PHE, it seems hospitals are being put on notice that the end of the PHE is near.

Other Updates

Friday, July 27, 2022: CMS Releases Three FY 2023 Final Rules

In late July, CMS published Fiscal Year (FY) 2023 Final Rules. You can read about each of the Final Rules in related CMS Fact Sheets.

• FY 2023 Inpatient Rehabilitation Facility (IRF) Prospective Payment System Final Rule (CMS-1767-F) CMS Fact Sheet: link
• FY 2023 Medicare Inpatient Psychiatric Facility Prospective Payment System Final Rule (CMS-1769-F) CMS Fact Sheet: link
• FY 2023 Hospice Payment Rate Update Final Rule (CMS-1773-F) CMS Fact Sheet: link

Monkeypox & Smallpox Vaccines: New Product Codes

CMS included the following guidance related to monkeypox and smallpox vaccines in the August 11, 2022 edition of MLN Connects (link).

On July 23, the World Health Organization declared monkeypox a public health emergency, and HHS issued a statement regarding the Biden-Harris Administration’s actions to make vaccines, testing, and treatments available. CMS issued two new CPT codes effective July 26, 2022:

Code 90611 for smallpox and monkeypox vaccine product:

• Long descriptor: Smallpox and monkeypox vaccine, attenuated vaccinia virus, live, non-replicating, preservative free, 0.5 mL dosage, suspension, for subcutaneous use
• Short descriptor: SMALLPOX&MONKEYPOX VAC 0.5ML

Code 90622 for vaccinia (smallpox) virus vaccine product:

• Long descriptor: Vaccinia (smallpox) virus vaccine, live, lyophilized, 0.3 mL dosage, for percutaneous use
• Short descriptor: VACCINIA VRS VAC 0.3 ML PERQ

CORRECTION: Monkeypox & Smallpox Vaccines: Include Product Code on Claims

Initially, Medicare instructed to only bill for vaccine administration when you got the vaccine at no cost from the government. In the September 1, 2022 MLN Connects newsletter, these instructions were changed. These new instructions are to include these 3 elements on your claim, even if you get the vaccine from the government for free:

1. product code (90611 or 90622)
2. applicable ICD-10-CM diagnosis code
3. administration code

We’ll address the no cost government vaccine product payment adjustments during claims processing. You’ll see it on your remittance advice.

Code 90611 for smallpox and monkeypox vaccine product:

• Long descriptor: Smallpox and monkeypox vaccine, attenuated vaccinia virus, live, non-replicating, preservative free, 0.5 mL dosage, suspension, for subcutaneous use
• Short descriptor: SMALLPOX&MONKEYPOX VAC 0.5ML

Code 90622 for vaccinia (smallpox) virus vaccine product:

• Long descriptor: Vaccinia (smallpox) virus vaccine, live, lyophilized, 0.3 mL dosage, for percutaneous use
• Short descriptor: VACCINIA VRS VAC 0.3 ML PERQ

Patient cost sharing applies. Your Medicare Administrative Contractor will give you more information soon about coverage and billing.

Medicare MLN Articles & Transmittals

Inpatient Psychiatric facilities Prospective Payment System (IPF PPS) Updates for Fiscal Year (FY) 2023

• MLN Release Date: August 4, 2022
• What You Need to Know: This MLN article provides Key Changes for FY 2023 related to market basket update, wage index update, IPF quality reporting programs, PRICER updates, provider specific file update, ICD-10-CM/PCS updates, COLA adjustment, and rural adjustment.
• MLN MM12859: link)

Quarterly Update to the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule Database (MPFSDB) – October 2022 Update

• Transmittal 11544 Release Date: August 4, 2022
• What You Need to Know: This Change Request (CR) was issued to amend the 2022 MPFS Final Rule payment files. Changes includes new HCPCS and CPT codes, codes that are no longer valid and changes to a short descriptor.
• Transmittal 11544/Change Request 12869: link)

New Waived Tests

• MLN Release Date: August 4, 2022
• What You Need to Know: information about CLIA requirements, new CLIA waived tests approved by the FDA and the use of modifier QW for CLIA-waived tests can be found in this MLN article.
• MLN MM12841: link)

Inpatient Rehabilitation Facility (IRF) Annual Update: Prospective Payment System (PPS) Pricer Changes FY 2023

• MLN Release Date: August 5, 2022
• What You Need to Know: CMS advises you to make sure your billing staff knows about changes to the Fiscal Year (FY) 2023 payment rates and wage index cap.
• MLN MM12807: link)

International Classifications of Diseases, 10th Revision (ICD-10) and Other Coding Revisions to National Coverage Determinations (NCDs) – January 2023 Update

• MLN Release Date: August 15, 2022
• What You Need to Know: Your staff needs to be aware of newly available codes added to NCDs, separate NCD coding revisions and coding feedback.
• MLN MM12822: link)

International Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision (ICD-10) and Other Coding Revisions to National Coverage Determinations (NCDs)-January 2023 Update – 2 of 2

• MLN Release Date: August 15, 2022
• What You Need to Know: This is the second of two MLN matters articles detailing January 2023 updates to NCDs.
• MLN MM12842: link)

Significant Updates to Internet Only Manual (IOM) Publication (Pub.) 100-05 Medicare Secondary Payer (MSP) Manual, Chapter 5

• MLN Release Date: August 15, 2022
• What You Need to Know: This article highlights key updates of importance for providers, for example, “Medicare is the secondary payer throughout the entire 30-month ESRD coordination period when a patient is eligible for, or entitled to, Medicare on the basis of ESRD. (See section 30.3.1.).”
• MLN MM12765: link)

Quarterly Update for Clinical Laboratory Fee Schedule (CLFS) and Laboratory Services Subject to Reasonable Charge Payment

• MLN Release Date: August 15, 2022
• What You Need to Know: You will find information about updated to Advanced Diagnostic Laboratory Tests (ADLTs), the next CLFS data reporting period, and new codes added to the National HCPCS file in this MLN article.
• MLN MM12870: link)

CMS released the 2,087 page display copy of the FY 2023 IPPS Final Rule (CMS-1771-F) on Monday August 1, 2022. This article highlights finalized changes to calculating relative weights and MS-DRG Refinements.

Calculating MS-DRG Relative Weights

CMS notes, in a related Fact Sheet, it is reasonable to assume Medicare beneficiaries will continue to be hospitalized with COVID-19 in FY 2023. They also believe admissions will be fewer than is reflected in the FY 2021 data.

Based on these assumptions, CMS finalized calculating relative weights for FY 2023 by:

• Calculating two sets of relative weights, one including and one excluding COVID-19 claims, and
• Averaging the two sets of relative weights to determine the final FY 2023 relative weights.

You can find the updated relative weights, geometric and arithmetic mean LOS and which MS-DRGs are designated as a post-acute DRG in the Final Rule Table 5.

For FY 2023, MS-DRG 018 (Chimeric antigen Receptor (CAR) T-Cell and Immunotherapies) has the highest relative weight at 36.1452 and MS-DRG 795 (Normal Newborn) has the lowest relative weight at 0.2024.

MS-DRG Refinements

The number of MS-DRGs will remain the same at FY 2022 at 767. Also, there were not as many MS-DRG refinements made FY 2023 as in years past.

Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS)

CMS received a request to reassign cases reporting diagnois code J80 (Acute respiratory distress syndrome) as the principal diagnosis from MS-DRG 204 (Respiratory Signs and Symptoms) to MS-DRG 189 (Pulmonary Edema and Respiratory Failure). The requestor noted that in the ICD-10-CM Tabular List of Diseases, per the Excludes 1 note under category J96 (Respiratory Failure, not elsewhere classified) only code J80 should be assigned when respiratory failure and ARDs are both documented. Currently, a principal diagnosis of J80 groups to MS-DRG 204.

CMS data analysis supported this request and finalized their proposal to reassign cases with ARDS (code J80) as the principal diagnosis from MS-DRG 204 to MS-DRG 189.

Claims Analysis

In Calendar Year (CY) 2021, in the RealTime Medicare Database (RTMD) database, there were 255 claims sequenced to MS-DRG 204 (Respiratory Signs and Symptoms) with a principal diagnosis of J80 (ARDS). Based on the CMS FY 2022 Final Rule, the shift from MS-DRG 204 to MS-DRG 189 would result in:

• An increase in the MS-DRG Relative Weight (R.W.) of 0.4325, and
• An increase in the MS-DRG National Average Payment of $2,612.56.

For the 255 claims with a principal diagnosis of J80 (ARDS) in CY 2021, the reassignment to MS-DRG 189 would result in a $666,202.80 increase in payment for this group of claims.

Cardiac Mapping

CMS identified a replication issue from ICD-9 based MS-DRGs to ICD-10 based MS-DRGs for procedure code 02K80ZZ (Map conduction mechanism, open approach). Cardiac mapping describes the creation of detailed maps to detect how the electrical signals that control the timing of the heart rhythm move between each heartbeat to identify the location of rhythm disorders. Cardiac mapping is generally performed during open-heart surgery or performed via cardiac catheterization.

This code is currently recognized as a non-O.R. procedure that affects the MS-DRG to which it is assigned. CMS finalized their proposal to reassign this code from MS-DRGs 246, 247, 248, 249, 250, and 251 to MS-DRGs 273 and 274 (Percutaneous and Other Intracardiac Procedures with and without MCC, respectively)

Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy with Common Bile Duct Exploration

A requestor noted that when a laparoscopic cholecystectomy is reported with any one of the listed procedure codes with a common bile duct exploration and gallstone removal procedure that is performed laparoscopically and reported with procedure code 0FC94ZZ, the resulting assignment is MS-DRGs 417, 418 and 419 (Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy without C.D.E. with MCC, with CC, and without CC/MCC, respectively). This MS-DRG assignment does not recognize that a common bile duct exploration (C.D.E.) was performed.

CMS finalized their proposal to redesignate procedure code 0FC94ZZ from a non-O.R. procedure to an O.R. procedure and add it to the logic list for common bile duct exploration (CDE) in MS-DRGs 411, 412, and 413 (Cholecystectomy with C.D.E. with MCC, with CC, and without CC/MCC, respectively).

Claims Analysis

In CY 2021, in the RTMD database, there were 188 claims that sequenced to the MS-DRG group 417, 418, and 419 (Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy without C.D.E. with MCC, with CC, and without CC/MCC respectively) that included the procedure code 0FC94ZZ describing a common bile duct exploration procedure with removal of a gallstone.

Based on the CMS FY 2023 Final Rule, following are the shifts in R.W. and geometric mean LOS by DRG severity levels:

• The increase from MS-DRG 417 to MS-DRG 411 (Chlecystectomy w/C.D.E. w/MCC) in R.W. is 1.0005 and the increase in geometric mean LOS is 1.0 day,">link
• The increase from MS-DRG 418 to MS-DRG 412 (Cholecystecomy w/C.D.E. w/CC) in R.W. is 0.6347 and the increase in geometric mean LOS is 1.1 days, and">link
• The increase from MS-DRG 419 to MS-DRG 413 (Cholecystecomy w/C.D.E. w/o CC/MCC) in R.W. is 0.3154 and increase in geometric mean LOS is 0.6 day.

Resources

• CMS FY 2023 IPPS Final Rule CMS Fact Sheet: link
• CMS FY 2023 Final Rule web page: link

CMS issued a display copy of the FY 2023 IPPS Final Rule (CMS-1771-F-IFC) on Monday, August 1, 2022. This article contains a high-level look at the final operating payment rate, quality program payments, and Social Determinants of Health (SDOH).

Payment Rate Change

The proposed increase in operating payment rates for general acute care hospitals paid under the IPPS that successfully participate in the Hospital Inpatient Quality Reporting (IQR) Program and are meaningful electronic health record (EHR) use was 3.2%. CMS finalized an increase of 4.3%.

Overall, the increase in operating and capital IPPS payments rates will generally increase hospital payments in FY 2023 by $2.6 billion.

Quality Programs

Hospital Value Based Purchasing (VBP) Program

This is a budget-neutral program where 2% of all participating hospitals base operating MS-DRG payments are used for funding and then redistributed back as a value-based incentive payment.

For FY 2023, CMS will pause several measures limiting the number of measures available for accurate scoring. For this reason, CMS will not calculate a Total Performance Score (TPS) and instead, each hospital will receive a value-based incentive payment amount to match their 2% reduction in base-operating payment.

Hospital Acquired Condition (HAC) Reduction Program

This program reduces payment by 1% for all hospitals that rank in the worst performing quartile on select measures. For FY 2023, CMS is pausing measures that would have been used to calculate a Total HAC Score. Therefore, no hospital will be penalized under this program for FY 2023.

Hospital Readmissions Reduction Program (HRRP)

The HRRP program reduces payments to hospitals with excess readmissions for unplanned readmissions within 30 days of the index admission for the following conditions or procedures:

• Acute myocardial infarction (AMI),
• Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD),
• Pneumonia (PNA),
• Coronary Artery Bypass Graft (CABG) surgery, and
• Elective primary total hip arthroplasty and/or total knee arthroplasty (THA/TKA).

Beginning in FY 2023, all six conditions/procedure measures will be modified to include a risk adjustment for history of COVID-19 within 12 months prior to the index admission.

Social Determinants of Health

There are 96 diagnosis codes describing Social Determinants of Health (SDOH) in the subset of Z codes in categories Z55-Z65 (Persons with potential health hazards related to socioeconomic and psychosocial circumstances). Three of these codes are new and will be effective October 1, 2022:

• Z59.82: Transportation insecurity,
• Z59.86: Financial insecurity, and
• Z59.87: Material hardship.

In the proposed rule, CMS requested comments on issues related to SDOHs noting that “if SDOH Z codes are not consistently reported in inpatient claims data, our methodology utilized to mathematically measure the impact on resource use, as described previously, may not adequately reflect what additional resources were expended by the hospital to address these SDOH circumstances in terms of requiring clinical evaluation, extended length of hospital stay, increased nursing care or monitoring or both, and comprehensive discharge planning.”

Specific to the question regarding codes in category Z59 (Homelessness), many commenters agreed that codes describing homelessness have been underreported and increasing the severity level of the codes from a non-complication or comorbidity (Non-CC) to a complication of comorbidity (CC) could result in increased documentation and reporting of this condition.

CMS notes that will take comments into consideration for future rulemaking.

Resources

FY 2023 IPPS Final Rule

• CMS Fact Sheet: https://www.cms.gov/newsroom/fact-sheets/fy-2023-hospital-inpatient-prospective-payment-system-ipps-and-long-term-care-hospital-prospective
• CMS Maternal Health Fact Sheet: https://www.cms.gov/newsroom/fact-sheets/fy-2023-hospital-inpatient-prospective-payment-system-ipps-and-long-term-care-hospitals-ltch-pps-1
• Final Rule: https://public-inspection.federalregister.gov/2022-16472.pdf

Did You Know?

The way brush biopsy is coded changed October 1, 2017.

Why It Matters?

Prior to 2017 ICD -10 did not have the option to choose Extraction for the Root Operation. At that time, the only option was to select “Excision”.

Definitions of Excision and Extraction:

1. Excision is the cutting out or off, without replacement, a portion of a body part
2. Extraction is the pulling or stripping out or off all or a portion of a body part with the use of force.

Physicians like to use the “brush” technique as it is low risk and the least invasive, but still provides enough cells to the Pathologists to make a diagnosis.

In addition, it is important to note the difference between the two approaches because the physician may obtain a specimen using both Excision and Extraction during an operative episode.

For example, during a Bronchoscopy, the physician may perform a brush biopsy of the bronchus and a transbronchial lung biopsy. To obtain a lung biopsy, tiny forceps are used to remove lung tissue, so this would be coded to the approach Excision. The lung biopsy carries a higher risk because there is a chance a pneumothorax will occur. The endoscopic lung biopsy will also group the DRG to a higher weight, which is another reason for being aware of these two approaches.

What Can I Do?

Review Coding Clinic, 4th Quarter 2017, page 41. Closely review the Op Report documentation and note the root operations used during the procedure.

References

• Coding Clinic, 4th Quarter 2017, page 41
• PCS Coding Guidelines

When first employed at MMP, there were two big challenges for me, identifying what I did not know but needed to know and knowing where to find the information. To that end, following are key resources you will need to prepare for the start of the new CMS Fiscal Year 2023 on October 1, 2022.

FY 2023 IPPS Final Rule Home Page

(link)

On this webpage you will find a links to:

• The FY 2023 IPPS Final Rule,
• FY 2023 Final Rule Tables
• Table 5: MS-DRGs, Relative Weighting Factors, Geometric and Arithmetic Mean Lengths of Stay, and Post-Acute Transfer designated MS-DRGs
• Table 6: New Diagnosis Codes,
• Table 6B: New Procedure Codes
• Table 6I: Complete MCC List,
• Table 6I.1: Additions to the MCC List,
• Table 6I.2: Deletions to the MCC List,
• Table 6J: Complete CC list,
• Table 6J.1: Additions to the CC list,
• Table 6J.2: Deletions to the CC list
• FY 2023 MAC Implementation Files
• MAC Implementation File 7: FY 2023 MS-DRGs Subject to the Replaced Devices Policy,
• MAC Implementation File 8: FY 2023 New Technology Add-on Payment

2023 ICD-10-CM Files

(link)

Downloads available on this webpage includes:

• 2023 POA Exempt Codes,
• 2023 Conversion Table,
• 2023 Code Description in Tabular Order,
• 2023 Addendum,
• 2023 Code Tables, Tabular and Index, and
• FY 2023 ICD-10-CM Coding Guidelines.

The ICD-10-Files are also available on the CDC’s Comprehensive Listing ICD-10-CM Files webpage (link).

2023 ICD-10-PCS Files

(link)

Downloads available on this webpage includes:

• 2023 ICD-10-PCS Order File,
• 2023 Official ICD-10-PCS Coding Guidelines,
• 2023 Version Update Summary,
• 2023 ICD-10-PCS Codes File,
• 2023 ICD-10-PCS Conversion table, 2023 ICD-10-PCS Code Tables and Index, and
• 2023 ICD-10-PCS Addendum.

MS-DRG Definitions Manual and Software

The ICD-10 MS-DRG Version 40 (V40) Grouper Software, ICD-10 MS-DRG Definitions Manual, and the Definitions of Medicare Code Edits V 40 files are publicly available on the CMS MS-DRG Classifications and Software webpage (link).

In addition to finding the codes, here are additional resources highlighting key facts from the FY 2023 Final Rule.

MLN Connects

• Monday, August 1, 2022 Special Edition: New CMS Rule Increases Payments for Acute Care Hospitals & Advances Health Equity, Maternal Health: https://www.cms.gov/outreach-and-educationoutreachffsprovpartprogprovider-partnership-email-archive/2022-08-01-mlnc-se

CMS Newsroom

• Monday, August 1, 2022 Fact Sheet: FY 2023 Hospital Inpatient Perspective Payment System (IPPS) and Long-Term Care Hospital Prospective Payment System (LTCH PPS) Final Rule – CMS-1771-F: https://www.cms.gov/newsroom/fact-sheets/fy-2023-hospital-inpatient-prospective-payment-system-ipps-and-long-term-care-hospital-prospective
• Monday, August 1, 2022 Fact Sheet: FY 2023 Hospital Inpatient Prospective Payment System (IPPS) and Long Term Care Hospital (LTCH PPS) Final Rule – CMS-1771-F Maternal Health: https://www.cms.gov/newsroom/fact-sheets/fy-2023-hospital-inpatient-prospective-payment-system-ipps-and-long-term-care-hospitals-ltch-pps-1

Did You Know?

Novavax COVID-19 Vaccine, Adjuvanted (NVX-CoV2373) is a new COVID-19 vaccination that the FDA has approved for Emergency Use Authorization (PHE) for individuals 18 years or older (link).

Why is Matters?

This is the first protein-based COVID-19 vaccine to receive Emergency Use Authorization and CDC endorsement (link) in the United States. This vaccine is to be administered as a series of two doses given three weeks apart. It is not authorized for use as a booster dose.

According to an HHS Press Release (link), “The Novavax COVID-19 vaccine is designed and manufactured differently than the mRNA COVID-19 vaccines. The Novavax COVID-19 vaccine contains SARS-CoV-2 recombinant spike protein, which is also known as an “antigen” of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, in combination with an adjuvant, which enhances the immune system response to the spike protein.

FDA-approved protein-based vaccines have been used widely for decades; examples of more recently approved vaccines that contain a purified protein combined with an adjuvant include vaccines to prevent hepatitis B and shingles. The Novavax COVID-19 vaccine offers an option to individuals who may be allergic to a component in the mRNA vaccines, or who have a personal preference for receiving a vaccine other than an mRNA-based vaccine.”

What Can You Do?

As a health care professional review the CDC’s overview and safety information about this vaccine (link), and become familiar with how to code and bill for this newly vaccine.

Coding and Billing

CMS issued new codes for this vaccine, effective July 13.

• Vaccine code: 91304,
• Administration codes: 0041A and 0042A,

Did You Know?

August is National Immunization Awareness Month (NIAM). According to the CDC (link), NIAM “is an annual observance held in August to highlight the importance of vaccination for people of all ages.”

Why It Matters?

Immunity from childhood vaccines can wear off over time. Maintaining current with your immunizations throughout life helps you combat vaccine preventable diseases. The CDC advises (link) that all adults need:

• COVID-19 vaccine,
• Influenza (flu) vaccine every year, and
• Tetanus and diphtheria (Td) or Tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis (Tdap) vaccine every ten years.

On a personal note, I received a Tetanus shot on my twenty-first birthday, making it easier to remember to get an updated Tdap shot on my thirty-first, forty-first, and most recently fifty-first birthday.

Forgive me for getting on my soap box for a minute, a vaccination to prevent shingles is also a must for adults. Having watched my mother suffer through the agonizing pain of shingles, I ask the question, why would you suffer through this disease when two doses of Shingrix provides strong protection against shingles and postherpetic neuralgia (PHN)? In fact, the CDC cites that “in adults 50 to 69 years old with healthy immune systems, Shingrix was 97% effective in preventing shingles; in adults 70 years and older, Shingrix was 91% effective (link). This series of two vaccines was my gift to myself when I turned fifty.

One more request is that you consider receiving a pneumonia vaccine. Based on the following CDC stats about Pneumonia in the United States, as a nation, we could do better.

• In 2020, the percent of adults aged eighteen and over who had ever received a pneumococcal vaccination was 25.5%.
• Data from 2018 revealed that 1.5 million emergency department visits had a primary diagnosis of pneumonia.
• Mortality data from 2020 revealed there were 47,601 deaths from pneumonia and deaths per 100,000 population was 14.4.

There are four pneumococcal vaccines licensed for use in the United States by the Food and Drug Administration:

PCV13: Prevnar 13® (pneumococcal conjugate vaccine or PCV13) is a registered trademark by Wyeth LLC and marketed by Pfizer Inc. This vaccine provides protection against infections caused by six more serotypes than PCV7. This vaccine is part of the routine childhood immunization schedule. Additionally, in 2011, it was licensed by the FDA for use in adults 50 years or older. The CDC recommends PCV13 for

• All children younger than 2 years old, and
• People 2 years or older with certain medical conditions.

The CDC advises adults 65 years and older to discuss the need for this vaccine with their health care provider.

PCV 15: Vaxneuvance™ (Pneumococcal 15-valent Conjugate Vaccine)

On July 16, 2021, Merck announced (link) the FDA approval of Vaxneuvance™, a new vaccine for the prevention of invasive pneumococcal disease in adults 18 years and older caused by 15 serotypes.

PCV20: Prevnar 20™ (Pneumococcal 20-valent Conjugate Vaccine)

On June 8, 2021, Pfizer announced (link) the FDA approval of the Prevnar 20™ vaccine for adults 18 years or older and noted that it is “the first approval of a conjugate vaccine that helps protect against 20 serotypes responsible for the majority of invasive pneumococcal disease and pneumonia, including seven responsible for 40% of pneumococcal disease cases and deaths in the U.S.”

PPSV23: Pneumovax23® (pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine or PPSV23) is a Merck product. This vaccine was approved by the FDA in 1983 and helps protect against twenty-three types of pneumococcal bacteria. The CDC recommends this vaccine for

• All adults 65 years or older,
• People 2 through 64 years old with certain medical conditions (i.e., diabetes, heart disease or COPD), and
• Adults 19 through 64 years old who smoke cigarettes.

What Can You Do?

As a healthcare provider, work with your patients to identify what vaccinations they have and have not received and utilize available resources on the CDC website for healthcare providers related to vaccinations, for example:

• Immunization Schedules Resources for Health Care Providers: https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/schedules/hcp/resources.html, and
• Adult Vaccination Information for Healthcare and Public Health Professionals: https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/hcp/adults/index.html.

As a healthcare consumer:

• Keep your vaccination records up to date (link),
• Use the CDC’s Adult Vaccine Assessment Tool (link) to determine which vaccines are recommended for you, and
• Share all this information with your healthcare provider so you make an informed decision on what immunizations you may need.